The mothers of the believers

By virtue of their relationship with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the status of the Ummahatul Momineen (The mothers of the believers) is very high.  Many verses of the Holy Quran have been revealed about them and many Hadith of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also mention their excellence and distinctions.  Allah Most High says in the Holy Quran:

 

O wives of the Messenger! You are not the like of any of the womenfolk. If you want to remain pious and Godfearing, then be not soft in your speech (whilst talking to men as and when required) lest someone whose heart is diseased (with hypocrisy) should feel inclined with desire. And (always) say words that are pure of any taint of doubt and flexibility.  Surah Ahzaab (33:32)

 

Imam Razi (Dec. 606 Hijri) (May Allah shower His mercy on him) writes in the exegesis of this verse:

 

Translation: The mothers of the believers enjoy that status, which other women don’t.  They chaste ladies are the mothers of all believers and the wives of the Chief of the Prophets.  (Tafseer Razi, Surah Ahzaab (33:32))

 

This verse of the Holy Quran makes it clear that the mothers of the believers by virtue of their relationship with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) enjoy a unique status among all women which is not shared by any other women.  Allah Most High says at another place in the Holy Quran:

 

This (Esteemed) Prophet is nearer to and has a greater claim on the believers than their own souls and his (pure) wives are their mothers.  Surah Ahzaab (33:6)

 

And yet another place:

 

And when you ask them (the pure wives) for something, ask them from behind a curtain. This (regard and nice manner) causes great purity for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not (at all lawful) for you that you cause inconvenience to the Holy Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him), nor is this (lawful) that you marry his (pure) wives after him, till the end of time. Surely, it is the most grievous sin in the sight of Allah.  Surah Ahzaab (33:53)

 

There is a Hadith in Kanz Ul ‘Ummal:

 

Translation: The best among you in the one who treats my wives the best.  (Kanz Ul ‘Ummal, Hadith No. 24400)

 

There is a slight disagreement among biographers of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as to the number of the mothers of the believers and the order in which they were taken in marriage by the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  However, all of them agree that they were 11 (at least).

 

One major reason behind all these marriages was that relationships should be formed with various clans and this resulted in propagation of Islam and benefited Muslims a lot.

 

Among the Mothers, 6 are from different clans of Quraish – Hadhrat Khadija, Hadhrat ‘Aisha, Hadhrat Hafsa, Hadhrat Umme Habiba, Hadhrat Umme Salma and Hadhrat Sauda (May Allah be well pleased with them).  Four of them, Hadhrat Zainab Bint Khuzaima, Hadhrat Zainab Bint Jahsh, Hadhrat Juwairiya and Hadhrat Maimoona (May Allah be well pleased with them) are from clans other than the Quraish and one, Hadhrat Safiya (May Allah be well pleased with her) is from Bani Nadheer of Bani Israil.  As given in Subul Ul Huda War Rashad, Vol. 11, Pg. No. 143.